Russell Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Russell Simmons
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Simmons at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Mansome
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Russell Wendell Simmons
October 4, 1957 New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation | Entrepreneur, writer, record executive |
| Years active | 1984–present |
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| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Joseph Simmons (brother) Danny Simmons (brother) |
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Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American businessman, writer, and music executive. He helped start the famous hip-hop record label Def Jam Recordings. He also created popular clothing brands like Phat Farm. Russell Simmons is known for supporting veganism and a yoga lifestyle. He has written books about healthy living and business.
Russell Simmons worked with artists like Kurtis Blow and Run DMC. Later, he teamed up with producer Rick Rubin to create Def Jam Recordings. As the head of Def Jam, Simmons signed many big names. These included the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, and Kanye West. He also produced the TV show Def Comedy Jam from 1992 to 1997.
Russell Simmons' Early Life
Russell Wendell Simmons was born in Hollis, Queens, New York City. This was on October 4, 1957. His father worked as a school administrator. His mother managed parks for New York City. His brothers are the painter Daniel Simmons Jr. and Joseph Simmons, also known as Rev Run from Run-DMC.
After finishing August Martin High School in 1975, Simmons went to the City College of New York. There, he met a DJ named Kurt Walker. This meeting helped him get interested in hip hop music. In 1977, he heard Eddie Cheeba perform in Harlem. This made him realize that hip hop was his future. Simmons said it felt like he had seen "the invention of the wheel."
Russell Simmons' Career Highlights
Russell Simmons co-founded Def Jam in 1984 with Rick Rubin. After several business changes, Simmons sold his part of the company. He sold it to Universal Music Group in 1998 for $120 million. Simmons also helped produce the 1985 movie Krush Groove.
His company, Rush Communications Inc., includes many businesses. It also has three non-profit organizations. Simmons and his partner Stan Lathan produced TV shows like HBO's Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry Jam. He also helped produce the hit movie The Nutty Professor in 1996. This film starred Eddie Murphy. In 1997, he co-produced Def Jam's How to Be a Player. In 2003, Simmons also helped start RushCard, which offers prepaid debit cards.
Phat Farm Clothing Line
In 1992, Simmons started his clothing company, Phat Fashions LLC. It used the Phat Farm and Baby Phat brands. When he first started, the clothes were sold in a shop in SoHo, Manhattan. Simmons knew many famous rap artists. Their support helped promote the clothing line to many people.
Designers like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger influenced the classic look of the clothes. Phat Fashions included hip hop clothing for men, women, and children. It grew into a lifestyle brand. They added jewelry, perfume, and other items. Phat Fashions LLC sold items in two stores and online. About 3,000 stores in the United States also carried the clothing line. In 2004, Simmons sold Phat Farm and Baby Phat to the Kellwood Company for $140 million.
Music and Arts Foundations
In 2004, Simmons also formed Russell Simmons Music Group (RSMG). This was a record label created with Universal Music's Island Def Jam Music Group.
Simmons and his brothers started the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation in 1995. This foundation helps young people get art education and support. It helps people of color access the arts. It also provides chances for artists to show their work. The Foundation helps about 3,000 students each year. It also has two art galleries. The Rush Arts Gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan and the Corridor Gallery in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn show art from over 100 community and new artists.
In 2014, Claremont Lincoln University gave Simmons an honorary doctorate degree. This was for his work as chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. It also recognized his efforts to promote kindness and understanding between different religions. In October 2021, Simmons released a collection of NFTs called Masterminds of Hip Hop. This collection focused on important people in the hip hop music industry. Snoop Dogg helped choose the items for the collection.
Russell Simmons' Personal Life
Russell Simmons and model Kimora Lee met in November 1991. They got married on December 20, 1998, in Saint Barthélemy. They have two daughters together. In March 2006, Simmons announced that they had separated. They divorced two years later.
Simmons has been a vegan since 1999. He chose this lifestyle out of love and respect for animals. He describes himself as a Christian yogi. He practices Jivamukti Yoga, which encourages eating plant-based foods and helping the environment. He also practices Transcendental Meditation (TM). He supports the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. This foundation helps children learn and practice TM.
Russell Simmons' Social Activism
Simmons supports Ahimsa (non-violence) and veganism. He believes in animal rights and the health benefits of a vegan diet. He said he became vegan after watching the film Diet for a New America in the 1990s. He supports Farm Sanctuary, an organization that works to stop cruelty to farm animals. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) gave him awards in 2001 and 2011 for his humanitarian work.
In 2009, Simmons organized thousands of protesters and hip-hop stars. They gathered at City Hall to demand changes to the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
In 2002, Simmons became the chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. In May 2009, he was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Slavery Memorial. This was to honor victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. He also supports the Somaly Mam Foundation. In 2011, he supported the second Muslim Jewish Conference. He also took part in the Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011.
Simmons has long supported gay rights and marriage equality. In 2011, when Lowe's stopped funding the show All-American Muslim, Simmons offered to pay the TV channel for any lost money.
In 2012, Simmons supported Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election. In November 2013, he supported New York's mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio. This was because of de Blasio's support for animal rights. In 2017, Simmons was listed as one of the most influential social entrepreneurs and philanthropists worldwide.
Vegan Burgers
Simmons is a senior advisor for the vegan burger brand Everything Legendary. In 2022, the company received $6 million in funding.
Images for kids
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Russell Simmons' signature
See also
In Spanish: Russell Simmons para niños
